Pakistan warns India could weaponize water amid IWT uncertainty

Pakistan's government has expressed apprehension that India could leverage water resources as a political weapon, amid an extended pause in negotiations over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), one of South Asia's most significant bilateral agreements. The treaty, signed in 1960, governs the sharing of waters from the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank serving as a neutral arbiter. A Pakistani minister warned that without active engagement on the treaty framework, New Delhi could exploit its upstream position to India's strategic advantage, potentially affecting Pakistan's agricultural and hydroelectric sectors. The treaty has historically been considered a successful model of international water-sharing cooperation, but recent years have seen increased friction over dam construction projects and water allocation disputes. Experts note that the prolonged uncertainty surrounding treaty discussions underscores the fragility of water-management agreements in an era of climate change, population growth, and competing development needs in the region. Both nations have significant populations dependent on Indus waters for irrigation and drinking supplies, making any disruption to the treaty framework a matter of critical concern for millions across the subcontinent.